telpsicorei

Hey guys,

I have a weird problem with the splash bowl in my fuel tank. I already pulled the tank so the hard part is over for now.

My problem started off as this:

When i get to 1/4 tank, my fuel pump whines as if its drawing air. I already replaced the pump and filter with the same result.

Anyways, since i took the tank out, i put some gas inside it and can confirm that the splash bowl (directly above the fuel strainer in the tank) is somehow clogged as no gas comes out/ barely any. Thus explaining the "dry effect" as my fuel pump can drain out the splash bowl before it can fill up with fuel. From what I can see, there is a direct hole on top of the bowl which explains why when my tank is full, i receive gas, but when i reach a quarter tank (below the hole) the splash bowl cant keep up with the consumption rate.

I was wondering if any of you guys can explain how the splash bowl works or how to remove it/maybe fix it.

I'll post some pictures of what I haves soon.

Thanks in advance,
-nick

telpsicorei

Forgot to add that my car is a poor neglected 1999 E55 with 113xxx miles.

telpsicorei

Pictures looking inside the tank from the fuel strainer hole.

I have an IR image from my old crappy converted camera.

My fuel strainer had more rust particles on it but i thought i would take a picture anyway. I know rust is a problem, but i dont really mind it so much as the splash bowl issue.

any help is appreciated!
-nick

Interplexor

Nick, I wouldn't know even where to begin - but it definitely seems like the car was run on some very poor quality gas. Where are you located if I may ask?

telpsicorei

Austin, TX.

PS i forgot to follow up on this, but I was able to take out the sending unit to look inside my tank. Turns out, its perfectly clean, no rust at all. I'm assuming the rust came from some bad gas station during the lifetime of my car, but only a little bit.

Inside the tank, I found 3 pieces of plastic from my filler neck. With a helpful picture of the splash bowl port from the dealer (not seen from the pics I took), I was able to confirm that those pieces were large enough to cause the bottom hold (in the splash bowl) to clog.

I'm going to put my tank in this weekend. Hopefully, my problem will have been solved. The only other resolution is to buy a new tank, which I have no incline towards.

-nick

telpsicorei

UPDATE: problem still persists... fml

avazquez14

Hi Nick were you able to resolve the fuel vibration issues in your E55?
I own a 1998 E320 and I'm have a fuel line vibration problem and lately the car is having a difficult time starting. and it usually bigings when the tank reaches a 1/4.

I'm curious to find out if you figured out what your problem was.

Thanks,

Elliot

cm60k

These Fuel Tank problems usually persists from the "Fuel air system",

most of the time, air clogged from the "Purge valve or Charcoal Constant filter or the Vent valve that holding in the Charcoal Constant filter it self",,

you should careFULLY inspect about those three main air Tank flow system.....

ZAYED,,